18 on the spin: Serena Williams thumps Sharapova - again - to march into semis

You will have to excuse Maria Sharapova if she doesn’t want to see Serena Williams any time soon, but that has been said for some time. The fifth seed at this year’s Australian Open looked magnificent in the first four rounds of the tournament, but when it came to playing Williams, the Russian appeared helpless. And for the 18th time in a row - spread over the last 12 years - Williams pounded her way through Sharapova, leaving the Russian at a loss at just how to beat her nemesis. For the record, 34-year-old Williams ran out 6-4 6-1 winner.

It was a super intense. She is an incredibly intensely focused player who was number one and won grand slams for a reason. I had to come out with fire and intensity.

Serena Williams

Williams is now into the semi-finals, while Sharapova is left to wonder if she will ever beat Williams again. She remains without a win against Serena since a tournament in Los Angeles in 2004 as the head-to-heads move to 19-2 between the pair. Agnieszka Radwanska beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3 to also advance. Meanwhile, Swiss Roger Federer moved serenely into the semis of the men’s draw beating Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Federer should faces world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-final should the Serb triumph over Kei Nishikori.

She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players.

Maria Sharapova on Williams

Serena